Borders X/C: Norham & other weekend action
November 16th, 2009The Borders Winter Cross Country series had its first outing on Sunday at a muddy but pleasant Norham but the day before that, Alice Haining had been even further south of the Border in Gateshead, where the McCain UK Cross Country Challenge was held on a very dreich Saturday.
Alice had been selected to run for Scotland in the Under 17 squad, her first year in this category and she competed very well around a heavy and unrelenting course, coming home as the 2nd Scottish girl in 9th position in 21 minutes 9 seconds. Scotland’s team manager Neil Renton was very pleased with her performance, which saw her finish ahead of her rival Sarah Kelly and which promised much for her future participation in this category.
The next day 27 Harriers headed south to Norham, where the course is described as “soggy, unless frozen, muddy steeply banked valley with several stream crossings and (hopefully) ploughed fields.” A lovely prospect for the eight Gala juniors who started in the field of 68 overall, but all of whom came home in one piece with some grand results, in this the first event of the 6 race programme.
New junior Harrier Paul Henney had a great run in 12.28, finishing 8th overall and 3rd in his boys U13 category. He was closely followed by Cameron Gowans in 12.43, just a second in front of the first girl, Gala’s Lucy Henderson-Morris who placed first in her girls U15 age class too. Hannah Jones was the second girl home for the Harriers in 13.04 with Kerry Sandilands splitting the Jones twins in 13.26 with Emily Jones just a handful of seconds behind in 13.42. Martha Douglas ran well in 13.52 and Fraser Gowans in the U11 completed the set in 15.50.
8 Gala men were led home by Alan Goodson, in 32th place overall in 27.25 with sound performances also from: Martin Clarke (27.47) placing him 3rd in his 50+ age class, Alastair Lawrie (28.12) Tony Lunn (28.21) Derrick Brydon (28.52) Malky Gowans (29.24) Billy McCulloch (30.49) and Gerry Moss (33.46).
Gala women fared well in the mud with Rachel Fagan storming home in 29.52 and 1st in the F35 class, closely followed by Laura Goodson in 30.08, giving her 2nd place in her younger women’s category. Leanne Haining ran strongly in 31.52 to give her 3rd position in her age group, while Alison Wilson in her first outing in a Gala vest finished well in 32.54 and 3rd in her group. Other Harriers competing well were: Jackie Law (34.21) Fiona Shepherd (34.56) Nicola Porterfield (35.48) Gina Allen (36 34) Dawn Grant (37.24) Shelagh King (40.39) and Anne Purves (45.09).
Also in action on Sunday were Gala’s young talents Rowan Marr and Demi Yorke, who had been selected to participate in the Bank of Scotland Talent Development Camp at Pitreavie. Both youngsters impressed top level coaches with their dedication and skills.
The next outing for the Harriers is the East League cross country in Dunfermline on Sunday 22 November.
